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The mission of Storey Publishing is to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment.
Edited by Deborah Burns and Ann Larkin Hansen Art direction, book design, and infographics by Alethea Morrison Text production by Liseann Karandisecky Cover and interior illustrations by Carolyn Guske Back cover photograph by Caro/Alamy Interior photography by Jeannette Beranger/ The Livestock Conservancy, except for Alex Bramwell/Alamy, 17; Beth Hall/Alamy, 13 top; Bob Langrish, 137; Caro/Alamy, 8; Food and Drink Photos/Alamy, 89; courtesy of the Irish Draft Horse Society of North America, 181; courtesy of Jeannette Beranger through the MacLaughlin Family, 45; courtesy of Jess Brown, 43; Lynn Stone, 23 bottom; Dr. Phillip Sponenberg/ The Livestock Conservancy, 27 top; Tanya Charter and Greg Shore/McKenzie Creek Ranch, 39; Tim Hill/Alamy, 13 bottom Indexed by Samantha Miller 2014 by The Livestock Conservancy All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages or reproduce illustrations in a review with appropriate credits; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other without written permission from the publisher.

C O N t E N ts
I N t RODUCtiON

What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7


CH a pt E R ON E

Some Background on Breeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22


CH a pt E R T WO

How Heritage Breeds Fit into Landscapes and Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48


CH a pt E R T H R E E

Which Species Is Right for You?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73


CH a pt E R F OU R

Getting Started with Heritage Breeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106


CH a pt E R Fi V E

Basic Breed Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126


CH a pt E R Si X

Choosing a Heritage Breed Project for Your Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140


CH a pt E R SEV E N

The Art and Science of Breeding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

CH a P T E R E IGH T

Rescues of Breeds, Strains, and Animals. . . . . . . . . . . 169


CH a P T E R N I n E

Boost Your Participation by Joining with Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179


COncLUSIOn

Heritage Breeds: A Future for You and for Agriculture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187


A PPE n DI X

Breeds at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188


Rabbits, 188 Chickens, 191 Ducks, 204 Geese, 208 Turkeys, 211 Goats, 213
GLOSSARY, 232 RESOURCES, 235 INDEX, 236

Sheep, 215 Pigs, 220 Cattle, 222 Horses, 226 Donkeys (Asses), 231

I N tr O d U cti O N

What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter


he phrase heritage breeds evokes mental images tinged with warm nostalgia for the smaller and more diverse farms of centuries past, when the pace of life was slower than in todays rushed world. Yet those pleasant pictures only scratch the surface of the rich history of the thousands of livestock and poultry breeds around the world, each uniquely tailored to fit a specific local environment, type of farming, and purpose . These breeds from the past, developed through careful selection by farmers over hundreds of animal generations, are now called heritage breeds. The rich genetic legacy embodied in these breeds is a key to the future of sustainable agriculture, but heritage breeds are now critically endangered. Fortunately, farmers throughout the United States are stepping forward to rescue and maintain heritage breeds. In the process they are discovering the joys of raising these remarkable animals and have come to appreciate how well they fit on a small-scale, sustainable farm. This book will show how you, too, can help conserve the past to secure the future.

What Is a Breed?
A breed is a group of animals that share a common link of history, original ancestors ( foundation), and overall body type, all of which work together to result in a reasonable degree of genetic uniformity.

8 What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter

Highland cattle

Livestock breeds work best when they fit their environment and match well with production goals.

Purebred animals predictably reproduce their breed type, both in appearance and performance, when mated with one another. This predictability of appearance, ability, and function through generations is the essential key to the importance of breeds, because predictability is what allows successive farmers and ranchers to consistently achieve their specific goal in a selected setting. That setting is the other key principle. A Jersey dairy cow is a good choice for producing rich milk on a dairy farm in a temperate climate, while a Texas Longhorn is a good choice for meat production in a drier region. Your farming goals will be met best when the breed matches the setting.

Many Possible Goals


Goals for raising livestock vary widely and can include almost as many options as there are farmers. This list shows some objectives common to different regions and species, but it is only a sketch of the many opportunities possible. Milk production from grain-fed animals Milk production from grass-fed animals Specialty cheese production Prime meat production Meat production from range-raised stock Fiber production Egg production from housed stock Egg production from free-range stock Production of elite breeding stock tailored for excellence in achieving one of the other specific goals!

What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter

THE ORIGINS OF BREEDS


The fascinating history of heritage breeds goes back at least ten thousand years, to the handful of small areas of the globe where agriculture began and the earliest farmers rst domesticated the now-familiar species of farm animals. As human populations grew, farmers spread out into diverse climates and terrains, bringing along their domestic livestock, which provided essential food, power, and fertilizing manure. The resources of these early farmers were usually limited even hay was a luxury for many. As a matter of necessity, owners quickly learned to keep and breed only those individual animals that thrived and provided a good return for the farmers (often minimal) investment of feed, shelter, and labor. Characterized by limited resources, these farming systems produced breeds of animals that are still productive today as well as uniquely adapted to local conditions, a key feature of heritage breeds.

Breeds Grow from Community


Breed development is an intricate story of the strong and specific connections among animals, land, culture, and the needs of the people who use them. Each time a group of farmers migrated to a new environment, they chose breeding animals for their abilities both to survive and to produce. Every new settlement began with a different set of founding animals, and each had its own combination of climate challenges, terrain issues, and human demands. Each combination of environment, original animal genetics, and human selection produced its own final genetic packages: that is, its own heritage breeds. The result? Over the entire globe, human communities in a wide variety of environments tested, molded, and perhuman needs fected thousands of breeds of chickens, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, and other traditional farm animals. This long history of partnership between animals and people often goes even deeper: many heritage breeds also reflect the cultural approaches to surhistory BREED vival of various ethnic groups, specifically the different ways in which each group adapted to and used its environment.

isolation

human culture
Breeds are influenced by several cultural factors.

BREED SNAPsHOT

Navajo-Churro Sheep
Specially adapted to survive and produce in the arid Southwest, the NavajoChurro sheep is famous for its unique wool and the delicate flavor of its meat.

Homeland: Arid New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah Traditional uses: Fleeces for traditional weaving, meat, Native ceremonies Colors: Fleeces come in a warm palette of
white, black, grays, browns, and combinations of these. Some colors, such as the beautiful Navajo Sheep Project blue, are unique to the breed.

Size: Rams 160200 pounds; ewes 100120


pounds

Other traits: Four-horned animals in some


bloodlines

Conservation status: Threatened

11

12 What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter

Why Heritage Breeds Are in Trouble


Unfortunately for the survival of heritage breeds, agriculture has changed more in the past century than in the previous 10,000 years. In both developed and developing countries, diversified farming based on adaptation to local conditions is being replaced by the trend to make agricultural systems the same everywhere on the planet. To succeed, this approach requires confinement of animals, standardized feeds, and only the few modern breeds that produce the most in such systems. Thus has the long, historic trend of agriculture toward development of more and more breeds, each better and better adapted to specific regions and multiple purposes, now been reversed. Heritage breeds, and with them their rich genetic diversity, are disappearing rapidly.

number of breeds
Breed numbers have changed drastically over the past 100 years.

8,000 BCE

1900

today

Different Systems Need Different Breeds


Turkeys provide a powerful example of the trajectory of agricultural development over the past century. Originally, all domestic turkeys were freerange (not closely confined by fences, pens, or buildings) and kept in outdoor farm flocks where they foraged for food. Industrialization of their production led to humans selecting solely for meat production in a confined situation. Animals were provided all their feed rather than having to seek it out themselves, which meant calories were not burned but instead used to create more meat at a faster rate. This change in environment allowed for even more selection based strictly on muscle mass, and the final result is the modern Broad Breasted turkey. Because of the massive size of their breasts, toms are no longer able to mount hens properly and so are unable to physically mate. In turn, breeders developed artificial insemination technology in order to propagate the

BREED SNAPSHOT

Dominique Chicken
This historic American chicken has many useful features, most of all its ability to free-range in the typical barnyard or backyard.

Homeland: Eastern United States in 1700s Traditional uses: Eggs (brown), meat Size: Roosters, 7 pounds; hens, 5 pounds Colors: Barred cuckoo color for good
camouage

Other traits: Rose comb resistant to


frostbite

Conservation status: Watch

18

What Heritage Breeds Are and Why They Matter

19

How Small-Scale Sustainable Farmers Can Help Save Heritage Breeds


Conserving heritage breeds preserves the legacy our ancestors created and handed down as they survived the challenges confronting their lives and their farming systems. Conserving these breeds also preserves our present ability to have animal production work in harmony with the environment. Finally, conserving these breeds preserves our ability to adapt to the future. Because heritage breeds are so well adapted to low-input farming, they offer an ideal opportunity for small-scale sustainable farmers and ranchers to raise resilient, economical livestock and, as a bonus, contribute to the future of sustainable agriculture. Having more farmers make the connection with heritage breeds is the best assurance that all of these breeds will have a future. Becoming involved with heritage breeds can bring you rewards on several levels. The simple pleasure of working around the animals is extremely satisfying for many owners and is one of their biggest incentives. Knowing that you have helped save a piece of our agricultural heritage for future generations is a huge reward as well. Another bonus is the new people you will meet along the way, and the friendships you will forge as you work together to assure a secure future for your breed. These are all in addition to the economic benefits that many of these breeds offer, essential for farmer survival.

Tracing an American Classic


Dominique chickens are uniquely American, originating here as a productive dual-purpose breed. Once widespread, they have been part of American farm life throughout most of the country for well over a century. The birds still evoke memories for many people, because this was everybodys grandmas chicken. The Dominique is a powerful example of how fate can deal real life-ordeath challenges to some breeds. The breed was once so common that it was an icon of farm life, but as the nations egg production moved away from small flocks on every farm and toward large-scale confinement operations using modern Leghorn chickens, the breed dwindled nearly to extinction. Only four flocks remained in 1970. Fortunately for the Dominique and for us, many people have stepped forward with a strong commitment to the breed, so its status is now secure.

See page 20 for a Breed Snapshot of the Dominique chicken.

bLOODLINE
CLOsE- UP

Hickman Pineywoods Cattle


Homeland: Southern Mississippi, in DeSoto
National Forest

Colors and other traits: Light, rangy,


athletic conformation in a wide variety of colors; horns are usually long and twisted in cows, shorter and stouter in bulls

Traditional use: Beef production on


extensive range

Size: Cows, 700 pounds; bulls, 1,200 pounds Special adaptations: Rugged, selfsufficient foragers that excel in scrounging food out of the Pineywoods

Population: A few hundred

Conway Pineywoods Cattle


Homeland: Southern Mississippi near
Richton all have moderate-size horns in todays bloodline

Traditional uses: Draft oxen, beef Size: Cows, 800 pounds; bulls, 1,400 pounds Special adaptations: A long history of use as oxen in the logging industry of the Gulf Coast. Teams of up to 5 yokes were used to drag old-growth timber out of the woods Colors and other traits: Dark red and
white in various spotting and roaning patterns;

Population: A few hundred

32

Broadus Pineywoods Cattle


Homeland: Southern Mississippi Traditional use: Beef Size: Cows, 700 pounds; bulls, 1,200 pounds Special adaptations: Like other
Pineywoods strains, some are dwarf, locally called guineas. Guinea cattle were highly esteemed for home dairy production because they could meet their maintenance needs more quickly than full-sized cattle

Colors and other traits: Red, brindle, brown, or dun; with or without white spotting. Horns are moderately long Population: Fewer than 30

Palmer-Dunn Pineywoods Cattle


Homeland: Mississippi-Alabama border Traditional uses: Beef Size: Cows, 700 pounds; bulls, 1,200 pounds Special adaptations: Good foraging ability
in the local landscape Many are polled (naturally hornless), which is otherwise rare in Pineywoods cattle

Population: 20

Colors and other traits: Red, brindle, dun, many with a white lineback pattern

33

38 Some Background on Breeds

HOW BREED TYPES DIFFER


This chart shows the relative importance of traits in different types of breeds. Heritage breeds are usually more toward the landrace end of the continuum.
high Med. HIGH high Med. HIGH high

Industrial Breeds Standardized Breeds Landraces

Med.

Growth

Fertility (likelihood
of producing viable offspring)
low HIGH low HIGH

high

high

high

Med.

low Med.

Med.

low

Environmental Adaptation

Temperament

Prolificacy (relative number of offspring in each litter or per year)

How Environment Shapes Heritage Breeds


Some environments are especially difficult for livestock, and meeting those particular challenges becomes the most demanding and important task for an animal. In other words, the environment can have veto power over all other selection goals. Humid subtropical environments, for example, present animals with several challenges. Parasite resistance is a top priority for survival. In addition, because forage quality is usually marginal in these environments, animals must be able to select their intake wisely and consume enough to support themselves, their reproduction, and their production. Some examples of breeds that have successfully done this include Florida Cracker cattle, Pineywoods cattle, Guinea Hogs, Gulf Coast sheep, Florida Cracker sheep, and Myotonic goats.

Some Background on Breeds

39

Desert environments can also be challenging, usually in the amount of forage available. The forage present is usually nutritious, just in short supply. Parasites, in contrast, may not be a factor at all. Texas Longhorn cattle, Spanish goats, and Navajo-Churro sheep are all examples of breeds that have met this challenge. These are all thrifty, easy keepers that have good feet and legs to help them navigate the landscape. Cold places with short growing seasons also impose challenges on both animals and their keepers. Milking Devon cattle, Randall cattle, and Canadienne cattle have all managed to adapt to this situation. Temperate, lush environments are easier for animals to adjust to, but an adjustment is still necessary. Breeds such as the Dutch Belted and the native Milking Shorthorn have proven valuable for grass-based dairying. Their willingness to get out into the field and graze has been essential in transforming grass into milk without the farmer needing to bring it to them. In each of these cases, the environment, management, and breed all work together to result in a system that is productive in harmony with the prevailing conditions. By working with, rather than against, the local environment, you can maximize production and minimize the headaches that come from trying to manage the right breed in the wrong place.

Navajo-Churro sheep excel in surviving and producing in the arid Southwest.

See page 11 for a Breed Snapshot of the NavajoChurro sheep.

40 Some Background on Breeds

How Use Shapes Heritage Breeds


Traditional uses, such as putting cattle to work as oxen, have shaped heritage breeds for centuries. Though some of these functions may no longer be of great importance, their stamp remains on the genetics of the present-day breed because use greatly influences which animals are selected by owners for breeding. Changes in use, however, are now profoundly impacting both numbers and owner selection criteria in many breeds. For example, draft horses, while still important power sources for some farmers, have declined drastically over the past century with significant effects on animal selection and breed survival. Not only have numbers fallen but owner selection criteria are just as likely these days to favor parade and show use as to reward day-to-day performance in the fields. Draft breeds such as the Percheron and Belgian Draft horse now have taller, rangier bloodlines for show, and shorter, stouter bloodlines for more traditional fieldwork.

American Cream Draft Horses still find a place for their traditional role in field work.

BREED SNAPSHOT

American Cream Draft Horse


The striking color makes this breed stand out, but its power in harness and its smooth action have made it endure.

Homeland: Iowa Traditional use: Agricultural work Size: 1,5002,000 pounds

Colors: Light to dark cream Conservation status: Critical

41

82 Which Species Is Right for You?

Ducks
Ducks have many of the advantages of chickens: small size, docile character, prolificacy, and a short generation interval. These combine to make them a good choice for beginners learning the intricacies of animal management and selection. They are a useful, and often overlooked, species.

Size: Ranges from 1-pound bantams to


10-pound Rouens and Pekins

Shelter and space requirements:


Hardy and resistant to wet and cold; they need shade in the hot summertime. Water is essential for health, at least enough to wash their heads and eyes in. A cage about 3 5 2 feet (1 1.5 0.6 m) is sufficient for 5 or so ducks of most breeds.

Average life span: 5 to 7 years Handling ease: Easy and docile Noise and odor level: The ducks (females) quack; the drakes (males) are nearly silent. Ducks are wet in their habits and can make a lot of mud and odor if not kept clean.

Zoning restrictions: Variable


depending on location but usually few restrictions

feeds are widely available at feed stores, although somewhat less so than chicken feeds. Water is essential, and water for swimming and bathing is appreciated.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE. Ducks form groups of multiple ducks and a few drakes. Drakes can serve up to 10 ducks. When too many drakes are in a group they tend to worry the ducks incessantly. REPRODUCTION. Specialized egg-producing breeds can lay an egg a day, which is more than most chickens! They mature at about 5 to 6 months old. Incubation is about 28 days. Larger breeds, such as the Rouen and Aylesbury, require a swimming area at least 6 inches deep so they can mate properly. PREDATOR CONTROL. Essential.

DAILY FOOD AND WATER REQUIREMENTS. Duck

Tight housing can eliminate most predator threats, especially necessary at night. feathers, meat.

PRODUCTS. Eggs,

PROCESSING AND TRANSPORTATION. Small-scale slaughterhouses may be willing to process small numbers, but check your local facility for availability and pricing. Some states allow the sale of a set number of home-processed birds.

American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association are two main resources

BREED ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES. The

Which Species Is Right for You?

83

for information. The Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities is geared for heritage breeds, as well.
OTHER. Ducks can be useful allies in slug, snail, and insect control. Some ducks are voracious consumers of flies.

DUCK FARMS
Ducks lay more eggs and are more vigorous than chickens, with fewer disease issues. Largely for these reasons, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, duck farms producing both meat and eggs were far more numerous than chicken farms in America, and massive ocks could be found throughout the country. But as American
Cayuga ducks

tastes shifted toward more rened and lighter fare, farmers shifted to more protable chicken production, and the duck ocks declined. Today, only a few massive ocks remain. Many duck breeds are now in desperate need of new stewards willing to rediscover the art and pleasure of keeping these remarkable birds.

BREED SNAPsHOT

Guinea Hog
Docile in temperament, good foragers, gentle, good mothers the Guinea Hog is a valuable and economical addition to a small-acreage farm.

Homeland: Southeast United States Traditional uses: Local meat production,


snake and pest control

Colors: Usually black; also, rarely, red, blue,


or other colors

Conservation status: Critical

Size: 150300 pounds

124

154 Choosing a Heritage Breed Project for Your Farm

Matching Basic Motivations with Specific Heritage Breed Projects


Understanding which of the motivations outlined in chapter 1 (conservation, cultural connection, and production of commercial commodities) matter most to you can help you determine which projects are likely to be most rewarding. None of these motivations is at odds with major types of projects, but some of the endeavors discussed above have very special needs that are best met by breeders and owners with specific goals. Matching these up is not absolute but does help in some cases to make that final good fit of person, animal, and project that is so useful for long-term success. Before too many years have passed, you, too, will have gained valuable experience and will be a good candidate for even the most challenging projects.

c+ +75 c+75+75 75 c+75+7525 c+75+7550 c+50+75


Commercial Products
gh hi
ble ria va

PRIMARY MOTIVATIONS FOR HERITAgE BREED PROJECTS

Conservation

High

Cultural Connection

va r i a b l e

hig h

high

Project:

Non-Breeding

Project:

Selection/ Improvement

hig h

Mode r

e at

Mod er

Mode r

gh hi

e at

e, at

to high

low

variable

va r i a b l e

high

va r i a b l e

Project:

Rescue

Project:

Conservation and Production

Project:

Production Only

182 Boost Your Participation by Joining with Others

Shared Experience and Wisdom Help Breeds


Dave Holderread exemplifies the impact that a single dedicated and accomplished breeder can have on an association as well as on animals. His work in streamlining the American Poultry Association standards for several breeds of waterfowl has ensured a secure future for many heritage breeds. His eager sharing of his techniques and knowledge through his excellent handbooks for breeders has helped many new enthusiasts get started. Dave is also known as a source for excellent breeding fowl among serious breeders. Whole-hearted participation by talented folks like Dave assures that breeds remain strong.

Millie and Dave Holderread carefully steward many breeds of ducks and geese and, just as importantly, new generations of waterfowl breeders.

Breeds Need New as Well as Traditional Breeders


For more than two centuries, Spanish goats were the primary meat goat in the United States. Their fate took a turn for the worse when Boer goats were imported from South Africa in 1993. Many herds of Spanish goats were crossbred with Boer bucks, effectively eliminating the purebreds in a single generation. Fortunately for Spanish goats, several traditional breeders are still in Texas with herds of up to 1,000 head or more. A number of dedicated and enthusiastic younger breeders are eager to pursue a range of projects with the breed. Some of these new breeders are focusing on commercial production, and others on the conservation and rescue of the rarest of the bloodlines of this once-common breed. Young and old breeders are working together for the future of the breed because they realize that it takes a variety of approaches and attitudes to effectively conserve a landrace breed.

When Breed Associations Go Bad


Unfortunately, divisions among members can be responsible for the complete breakdown of an association and a good breeding program. Often these divisions spring from differences of opinion between two important groups: traditionalists with long experience in the breed, and newcomers who come with fresh ideas and approaches. Many heritage breeds have a long legacy of traditional husbandry techniques and attitudes, which older breeders grew up with and have guarded jealously over their long lives. Old-timers need to be respected for their long contributions to breed definition and survival. Without newcomers, though, heritage breeds are doomed. Newcomers frequently come to a breed community with great enthusiasm. They also

BREED SNAPsHOT

Spanish Goat
Southwestern strains of the Spanish goat are adapted to arid environments; in the Southeast they are adapted to humid places with high parasite loads.

Homeland: Texas; other strains from Southeast and California Traditional use: Meat production Size: 60175 pounds

Colors: Vary widely Other traits: Most Spanish goats are


horned

Conservation status: Watch

183

188

App E N di X

Breeds at a Glance
ach species has a wonderfully diverse array of breeds. The summaries below barely scratch the surface of all the details that make up each of them. Use these tables as a general guideline, and then go out and meet the animals and their breeders in person to discover which breed appeals to you most and fits best with your goals.

Rabbits
The ideal temperature for rabbits is about 50F (10C).

American
threatened

Origin: United States Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 911/1012 Color: Blue, white Litter Size: 810 Temperament: Docile

Mothering Ability: Good Owner Skill: Novice Notes & Tips: Select for good mandolin
body shape. The blue variety is the deepest blue color of all rabbits.

American Chinchilla
critical

Origin: United States Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 911/1012 Color: Chinchilla Litter Size: 810

Temperament: Docile Mothering Ability: Good Owner Skill: Novice Notes & Tips: Fast growth; good meatto-bone ratio

Rabbits

189

Belgian Hare
threatened

Origin: Belgium Purpose: Exhibition Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 69.5/69.5 Color: Brown with black ticking Litter Size: 48 Temperament: Active, intelligent

Mothering Ability: Variable Owner Skill: Intermediate to advanced Notes & Tips: Created to resemble a
wild hare but is a true rabbit. Can be a challenge to breed.

Beveren
watch

Origin: Belgium Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 811/912 Color: Black, blue, white Litter Size: 812 Temperament: Docile

Mothering Ability: Good Owner Skill: Novice Notes & Tips: Select for mandolin
body shape. Good cold tolerance. Quick growth rate.

Blanc de Hotot
threatened

Origin: France Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 811/911 Color: Frosty white with thin black eye
bands

Temperament: Docile to active Mothering Ability: Good to Variable Owner Skill: Novice to intermediate Notes & Tips: Meat lighter in color than
other breeds

Litter Size: 68

Crme dArgent
recovering

Origin: France Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 810.5/8.511 Color: Creamy white with orange cast,
bright orange undercoat

Temperament: Docile Mothering Ability: Good Owner Skill: Novice Notes & Tips: Known to have relaxed
personality. Ears should be well rounded at end.

Litter Size: 58

Giant Chinchilla
watch

Origin: United States Purpose: Meat, fur Adult Weight M/F (lbs.): 1215/1316 Color: Chinchilla Litter Size: 78 Temperament: Docile

Mothering Ability: Good Owner Skill: Novice Notes & Tips: Requires platform in cage
to avoid sore hocks. Quick growth rate; large size requires bigger cages.

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